Malta
Last checked:
- Capital
- Valletta
- Currency
- EUR · Euro
- Languages
- Maltese, English
- Plugs
- Type G · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Valletta old city · Valletta
Fortified UNESCO capital with St John's Co-Cathedral (Caravaggio) and Upper Barrakka Gardens.
- Mdina · Mdina
Quiet walled 'Silent City' on a hilltop with views over the island.
- Blue Lagoon · Comino
Turquoise bay reached by boat; very crowded in summer, so go early.
- Gozo · Victoria / Xlendi / Dwejra
Greener sister island with the Citadel, cliffs and diving sites, a short ferry ride away.
- Hal Saflieni Hypogeum and megalithic temples · Paola / Qrendi
Prehistoric underground burial site (tickets sell out weeks ahead) and older-than-Stonehenge temples.
Getting around
Ride-hailing app
Bolt
Largest app fleet in Malta and usually the cheapest door-to-door option; prices surge at night and in summer.
Ride-hailing app
Uber / eCabs
Uber and local eCabs both work across the island; eCabs is a common backup with slightly higher prices. Compare apps, prices can differ 20-30%.
Taxi
White taxis
Licensed white taxis wait at the airport (fixed-fare kiosk) and ports. Elsewhere agree the fare or insist on the meter before starting.
Buses
Malta Public Transport (Tallinja)
Buses cover Malta and Gozo. Visitors can buy single tickets or an Explore card with 7 days of unlimited travel (about 25 EUR). Free travel applies only to personalised Tallinja card holders (mainly residents). Use the Tallinja app for routes and times; buses can be slow and crowded.
Ferries
Gozo Channel ferry / fast ferry
Car ferry from Cirkewwa to Mgarr (paid on the return leg from Gozo) and fast passenger ferries from Valletta.
Money and cash
Currency: EUR · Euro
Cards are accepted in most restaurants, hotels and shops; small kiosks, village bars and some boat trips prefer cash. Bus drivers sell tickets for cash or contactless (varies). Choose EUR when paying by card.
Tipping
Tipping in Malta is optional. Check the bill first: some restaurants add a service charge. If none is added, 5-10% for good table service or rounding up is normal.
| Restaurants | 5-10% if service is not on the bill; nothing extra if a service charge is included. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Round up or leave small change. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Round up; not expected with apps. |
| Hotels | 1-2 EUR per bag for porters; housekeeping tips optional. |
| Tours and guides | Small tip for boat crews and guides if you were happy; optional. |
| Food delivery | Not expected; optional tip in the app. |
Service charge: what’s true
Most restaurants do not add a service charge, but some do, especially in St Julian's, Sliema and Valletta. If added, it should appear as a separate line on the bill. Where it goes depends on the restaurant (varies).
Pressure tactics to watch for
No widely reported pressure tactics. Check whether service is already on the bill before tipping, and pick 'no tip' on card terminals if you prefer to tip in cash.
Useful phrases
- Il-kont, jekk jogħġbok. The bill, please.
- Is-servizz inkluż? Is service included?
- Grazzi ħafna. Thank you very much.
Etiquette
- Malta is strongly Catholic: cover shoulders and knees in churches; St John's Co-Cathedral checks dress.
- Do not wear swimwear or go topless away from the beach; topless sunbathing on beaches is not customary.
- Traffic drives on the left and roads are narrow; be careful crossing.
- Summer village festas (feasts) bring fireworks and street parties; expect road closures and noise.
- Speak politely and patiently; queueing is expected at bus stops and ferries.
Scams and how to handle them
Taxi without meter
Where: Harbour areas, Valletta, St Julian's, cruise terminal
How it works: Some white taxi drivers skip the meter and quote inflated flat rates to tourists.
How to avoid it: Use Bolt, Uber or eCabs, or agree the fare before you get in. At the airport use the official fixed-fare taxi kiosk.
Gentlemen's club and bar traps
Where: Paceville, St Julian's
How it works: Touts lure visitors into clubs where drinks are spiked or bills are inflated, and victims are pressured to pay large sums.
How to avoid it: Avoid touted venues, buy your own drinks, keep them in sight and check prices first.
Timeshare and holiday club touts
Where: Sliema, St Julian's, Bugibba seafronts
How it works: Friendly people offer scratch cards, prizes or surveys that lead to high-pressure timeshare presentations.
How to avoid it: Decline any 'free prize' or survey on the street.
Fake 'free Tallinja card' offers
Where: Online, Facebook pages and ads
How it works: Fake public transport pages promise free bus cards and steal card details.
How to avoid it: Only order cards from the official Malta Public Transport website or offices.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching
Where: Valletta, Sliema, St Julian's, buses and nightlife areas
How it works: Opportunistic thefts in crowds, from beach bags and from scooters passing by.
How to avoid it: Keep bags zipped and in front of you and do not leave valuables on the beach.
Overpriced boat trips and sunbed charges
Where: Comino Blue Lagoon, Sliema ferries
How it works: Touts sell trips without clear return times, and sunbed/umbrella sets at the lagoon are expensive.
How to avoid it: Buy trips from established operators, check return times and prices before paying.
Safety
- Malta is generally safe; common crimes are bag snatching, pickpocketing and theft from parked cars.
- Drink spiking has been reported in Paceville bars and gentlemen's clubs; stay with friends.
- Every year people drown in Malta: obey beach flags (red means do not swim), watch for undercurrents and do not dive into unknown water.
- Carry water and sun protection in summer; heat is intense and there is little shade.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash; spread valuables between pockets.
How widely English is spoken
Excellent. English is an official language and almost everyone speaks it; signs and menus are in English.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Malta, safety and security
- Lonely Planet: How to get around Malta
- Lovin Malta: Fake public transport page offers 'free' Tallinja cards
- Hubpy Malta: Restaurant tipping etiquette
- Hubpy Malta: Taxi guide (Bolt, eCabs, white taxis)
- Wikipedia: Buses in Malta
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.